This webpage contains information and documents related to the permitting of this project by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Every project before the Commission has an electronic docket (eDocket), a file folder for all of the project's documents.

Documents for this project are listed below in the File Register, most recent documents first. To view the eDockets record for this project, click on the eDockets link below, or click on the eDockets tab in the File Register. A subset of the record, including key documents with descriptions, is available by clicking on the Energy Facilities tab in the File Register.

For more information about participating in the permitting of this project, click on the How to Participate tab, or contact the environmental review manager or public advisor listed below.

Project Docket

Docket NoE015/CN-12-1163

Project nameCertificate of Need Application - Great Northern Transmission Line

ApplicantMinnesota Power

DescriptionMinnesota Power hereby applies to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Need to construct the Great Northern Transmission Line

Minnesota Power, in partnership with Manitoba Hydro,
proposes to construct a 500 kV transmission line from the International border
that would terminate at the Blackberry Substation in Itasca County (spanning an
estimated 235 to 270 miles).
Construction of the line is anticipated to begin in June, 2016 and take
approximately 48 months to complete, with a projected in-service date of June
1, 2020.

Minnesota Power has submitted an application to the Minnesota
Public Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Need to construct the Great
Northern Transmission Line.

Routing for the Project will be considered in
both the Presidential Permit required for the Project and in the Route Permit
process, which will come before the Commission in a separate docket.

Minnesota Power, in partnership with Manitoba Hydro, proposes to construct a 500 kV transmission line from the International border that would terminate at the Blackberry Substation in Itasca County (spanning an estimated 235 to 270 miles)

The administrative law judge's (ALJ) report for the project including findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. The ALJ recommends that the Commission grant a certificate of need for the project subject to certain conditions

Public hearings will be held during the weeks of October 6th and 13th, 2014, at various locations across northern Minnesota on Minnesota Power's Application to the PUC for a Certificate of Need for the GNTL project. Public comments will be accepted by the administrative law judge through December 3, 2014

he environmental report is a written document that describes the human and environmental impacts of the proposed project associated with the size, type, and timing of the project, system configurations, and voltage. The environmental report must also contain information on alternatives to the proposed project and shall address mitigating measures for anticipated adverse impacts (Minn. R. 7849.1500).

The EERA held Public Scoping meetings on the MP GNTL project during the weeks of February 10 and 17, 2014; the comment period allowing the public to submit comments on the scope of the ER was open until March 14, 2014. The following comments were received

This DRAFT scoping document is intended to advise the public of the scoping process and the process for the preparation of the Environmental Review document (i.e., Environmental Report). The scoping decision will identify for the public the issues and alternatives that the Department of Commerce (Department) Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) unit has determined are appropriate for inclusion in the environmental review document

The PUC and DOC EERA will conduct public information and environmental review scoping meetings during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of February 2014, at various locations across northern Minnesota. Comments will be accepted until March 14, 2014

Minnesota Power, in partnership with Manitoba Hydro, proposes to construct a 500 kV transmission line from the International border that would terminate at the Blackberry Substation in Itasca County (spanning an estimated 235 to 270 miles)